The newest member of the Broncos, running back Jacob Hester, played the past four seasons for hated rival San Diego.

Any razzing going on in the Broncos' locker room? "There's been a little bit of that," Hester said. "But it's all in good fun."

Hester, a fifth-year pro and former Louisiana State star, was signed last week as a free agent, having been released by Houston during training camp.

"To be honest, I think having played the Broncos twice a year helps me here," the native Louisianan said. "I know the guys here a little bit. I know a little bit about how they play, how they work, how they go about their business. I think it gave me a little jump start to fit it."

Q: Your bio says you are related to NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Do you do a good impersonation of him?

A: No, he's too funny for me to impersonate. He did one of my games my junior year (2006) at LSU. It was the Sugar Bowl, and he was an announcer. We got to talk, and were comparing our family trees to make sure we had it right that we're related. He's a distant cousin.

Q: You played high school ball at Evangel Christian in Shreveport, which is known as a national power. Did having that background accelerate your development as a player?

A: I think so. We traveled everywhere. We played in Alabama, Florida, California, Arkansas, Texas, Missouri. ... We went all over the place. That kind of got me ready for college, with the travel schedule and playing against different systems.

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Q: And at a young age you must have been already accustomed to playing under the bright lights.

A: Yeah, my senior year, we were the first high school team to play on ESPN. Even though we lost to De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), it was pretty fun.

Q: You were a standout on LSU's 2007 national championship team, rushing for 1,103 yards and 12 touchdowns. Does that give you lifetime celebrity status in the state of Louisiana?

A: Being a running back on a national-championship team, of course you get a lot of recognition. It is fun when I go back home. I try to have fun with it.

Q: LSU fans buy you a steak dinner on occasion?

A: People do recognize me at restaurants sometimes. LSU fans are great, they really are. After you're done playing, they'll take care of you. I always try to sign autographs. And if they've got a story or they want me to tell them a story, I love that kind of stuff. It's fun to rehash my days playing for the Tigers.

Q: In four years with the Chargers, you started 23 games, but carried the ball only 94 times. Did that frustrate you?

The Denver Post's NFL reporters post analysis, notes and more on this blog focusing on the Denver Broncos.

A: No. I was primarily a fullback. My job was on third-and-1, third-and-2 to get the first down. Obviously, your average or yards aren't going to look good. But I think I only missed one first down (in those situations) in four years. That's the goal.

Q: Other than the Chargers' short road-game trips to Denver, do you know much about this state?

A: Except for playing here, I never really visited Colorado because skiing isn't the best thing for a player with an NFL contract. My wife just went with her family on skiing vacations because they thought I'd be the one to hit a tree. But I've always loved Denver. I love the city. It's a great atmosphere. No matter how the games went, the fans were always great. I'm excited to be a part of it. And I'm ready for the snow. Me and my 3-year-old are really excited for some snow.

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

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